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May 18, 2018

In her first email correspondence, I knew Shyla was someone special, and when we first met, I felt like I could sit and talk with her all day. She’s one of those brides that I walk away from and think, “I am so blessed to work with such beautiful people– inside and out!” I was looking forward to their Indianapolis Spring engagement session and meeting Parker– and Elfie, too, of course. They are so great, and I’m just thrilled to be a part of their October wedding.

How They Met:

“Once upon a time, a girl met a guy at a bar… and they lived happily ever after.

Four years ago, I was in Chicago visiting my college roommate, Molly. We had both recently graduated from college and planned to spend the weekend celebrating and exploring the city together. On Saturday night we ended up going to a local bar to meet up with some other friends.

A few hours (and drinks) later, I notice this very tall, handsome man across the room that keeps looking my way and pointing at me. We even make eye contact at one point but he never comes over. I ask Molly what to do and she tells me to go over to him. So I do! Our first conversation went a little something like this:

Me: “Hi! I saw you pointing at me”
Parker: “I’m sorry, but you’re the most beautiful girl I’ve ever seen” (WHAT A LINE! AM I RIGHT?!!)
Me: *blushing and thinking OMG who is this guy?!!!* Well, it’s nice to meet you. Let’s take a tequila shot together!”
Parker: “I’ll do anything with you”

And then we sat at the bar for hours until they closed talking, laughing, and falling in love. Two perfect strangers who just happened to be at the right place, at the right time in this big crazy world. I’ve felt something different, something special, with Parker since the moment we met. He actually told his mom the day after we met that he would marry me one day. And four years later here we are! From strangers in a bar to long-distance dating, and now the soon-to-be Mr. and Mrs. Carroll! I love our love story.”

How He Asked:

“After four years of dating, last year was our first time spending Christmas together. We went home to Indiana to spend it with my family. I had a long list of all the things I wanted us to do together to make our first Christmas together extra special. Build a gingerbread house, watch Christmas movies, wear matching PJs and drink hot chocolate, drive around to see the lights…you know, the usual!

On the day before Christmas Eve, Parker did what he always does and woke up extra early. I rolled myself up in the blankets and went back to bed. Usually, he leaves me alone and lets me get an extra hour of sleep while he enjoys a morning walk with our dog, Elphie. But not this morning! He was determined to get me out of bed as soon as he could. I just thought he was really excited for our first Christmas together and was ready to start checking things off of my list.

After I had time to fully wake up, he asked me if I got the text from his mom. Still laying in bed, I check my phone…nothing. He plays it off and says she must have only sent it to him and that there is a present she wants me to open before I get ready for the day. Parker hands me a perfectly wrapped present and I open it to find an ornament with the message, “Welcome to our family! Love, Dan and Lori.” Confused, I look up to see Parker down on one knee with THE biggest smile I have ever seen on his face.

Nothing prepares you for the moment you see the man you love down on one knee.

I was in such shock. Parker reached his hand out for mine but I couldn’t move. He came over and picked me up off the bed and we looked into the eyes of one another as I’m smiling and crying and filled with all sorts of emotions. A few moments later he got back down on one knee and asked to marry me. I immediately jumped into his arms and respond with a resounding “OH MY GOSH, YES!” as he put the most beautiful ring on my finger.

After that, we went downstairs where my family was waiting to celebrate with us. It was a day filled with laughter, happy tears, reminiscing on sweet memories, and talking about the future. I woke up the next morning still in awe as I realized that I get to spend forever with my best friend!

Backstory: Growing up, my mom would buy my siblings and I a special Christmas ornament every year. As I got older, I started to collect ornaments on my own. After I met Parker, I started to collect them from all of the places we’ve traveled together. I love that every year when I’m hanging up my ornaments I am reminded of so many great memories. And now, I’ll always have the ornament Parker gave me on the day he proposed. I can’t wait until one day when I can show our children all of our ornaments and tell them the stories behind each of them, especially that one.”

Indianapolis Spring Engagement Session

It was overcast the entire day but right when the sun was setting, the clouds dissipated and the sun shone so brightly for a few short minutes!